Plural segmented guiding assembly for a continuous casting

ABSTRACT

A continuous casting plant consisting of at least one assembly comprising a supporting frame, a mold and a plurality of following guiding segments forming an arcuate apron attached to the frame. The segments are movable out of alignment with the apron in a direction away from the frame. The frame is disposed on the inside of the arcuate path formed by the apron and supported by the foundation structure of the plant at two bearing points, the bearing at the upper end of the frame being the main bearing located in line with a vertical through the center of gravity of said assembly, and the other bearing at the lower end of the frame being a loose bearing affording freedom of movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the path formed by the apron. There is also provided equipment for the reception of a dummy bar and introducible into an opening formed upon displacement of at least one segment at the outside of the apron. Such equipment comprises a deflectably mounted casing containing a telescopically extendable magazine for the dummy bar.

llnited States Patent 1 1 Bollig et al.

[451 Feb.26,1974

1 PLURAL SEGMENTED GUIDING ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTINUOUS CASTING [75] Inventors: George Bollig, Buderich; Horst Grothe, Kaarst; Josef Eisen, Osterath, all of Germany [73] Assignee: Schloemann Aktiengesellschaft,

Dusseldorf, Germany [22] Filed: July 14, 1972,

[21] Appl. No.: 272,065

Primary Examiner.l. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-John S. Brown Attorney, Agent, or FirmWerner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT A continuous casting plant consisting of at least one assembly comprising a supporting frame, a mold and a plurality of following guiding segments forming an arcuate apron attached to the frame. The segments are movable out of alignment with the apron in a direction away from the frame. The frame is disposed on the inside of the arcuate path formed by the apron and supported by the foundation structure of the plant at two bearing points, the bearing at the upper end of the frame being the main bearing located in line with a vertical through the center of gravity of said assembly, and the other hearing at the lower end of the frame being a loose bearing affording freedom of movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the path formed by the apron. There is also provided equipment for the reception of a dummy bar and introducible into an opening formed upon displacement of at least one segment at the outside of the apron. Such equipment comprises a deflectably mounted casing containing a telescopically extendable magazine for the dummy bar.

9 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PLURAL SEGMENTED GUIDING ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTINUOUS CASTING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a continuous casting plant consisting of at least one assembly comprising a supporting frame, a mold and a plurality of following guide segments forming an arcuate apron attached to the frame, said segments being movable out of alignment with the apron in a direction away from the frame, as well as of a straightening and withdrawing machine and equipment for the reception of a dummy bar.

In a conventional type of continuous casting plant the arcuate apron following the mold is subdivided into segments. On the outside of the arcuate apron a supporting frame is provided to which these segments of the apron are attached. In order to permit the cross section of the casting to be varied, or repairs and maintenance work to be effected on the segments, these are exchangeable. The segments of the apron are exchanged with the help of a segment changing carriage which runs on rails extending parallel to the apron. The several segments of the apron can be transferred to this carriage and carried thereon to a point where they can be removed from the plant and repaired or readjusted as may be required. If the apron also includes driven rollers then the necessary drive means must also be located on one side of the apron. The dummy bar in a plant of the described kind is advanced up the apron from the bottom end thereof. The supporting frame is attached at several points to the main structure of the plant, the mold and the first cooling zone being mounted on the structure as separate entities.

Plants of the above described type exhibit certain drawbacks. Owing to the presence of the supporting frame on the outside of the arc of the apron it is impossible to withdraw the segments of the apron in the outward direction. However, their withdrawal sideways from the apron also presents difficulties and involves the provision of considerable structural means because for changing the casting cross section the setting or adjusting cylinders on each side of the casting and their guide means also must be withdrawn together with the segments. The setting cylinders can be thus-withdrawn only after the hydraulic couplings have first been disconnected, a necessity which involves a considerable amount of extra work. Moreover, since the frame is supported at several points, and the mold and the first cooling zone are independently mounted, the actual path taken by the casting during operation tends to considerably deviate from the desired path. These deviations occur as a result of thermal expansions and varying weights and can be compensated only by a major expenditure in constructional means. Before a pour can commence much time is lost by virtue of the need for the end of the previous casting first having to leave the straightening and withdrawing machine before the dummy bar for the fresh casting can be introduced. Moreover, the dummy bar must be fed upwards through the entire length of the apron before the withdrawing head reaches the mold. If the apron comprises drive rollers, and if the plant is a multi-strand installation, then a considerable amount of space is needed between the aprons since either the segment changing devices or the drive means for the drive rollers must be accommodated in this space and, besides, these parts must be protected by expensive arrangements from the external effects of the cooling system.

In a different continuous casting plant known in the art the guide segments of the apron are located between a lateral supporting frame on each side. In such an arrangement it is also impossible without major structural expense to include driven rollers in the apron. In multi-strand installations space is additionally required for the supporting frames on the sides of the aprons and the resultant overall width of such plant is considerable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of continuous casting plant in which the individual segments of the apron can be easily replaced without incurring the ex pense of major constructional means.

Another and more specific object of the invention aims at securing the segments of the apron and the mold to the structure of the plant by the supporting frame in such a way that the precisely aligned path provided by the apron for the casting cannot be displaced by external effects during operation.

At the same time it is intended as a further object of the invention that in a multi-strand plant the lateral spacing between neighboring aprons should be a minimum.

Another object contemplates introducing the dummy bar from the outside of the arc of the apron with a minimum waste of working time.

According to the invention these and still further objects are achieved by disposing the supporting frame on the inside of the arcuate path provided by the apron and supporting the frame from the foundation structure of the plant at two bearing points, the bearing at the upper end of the frame being the main bearing located in the vertical line through the center of gravity of the aforementioned assembly, and the other bearing at the lower end of the frame being a loose bearing affording freedom of movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the path provided by the apron.

This arrangement permits the individual segments of the apron to be replaced from that side of the apron where there is most space, i.e., from the outside of the arcuate apron. The location of the frame on the inside of the are also enables the spacing between neighboring aprons in multi-strand installations to be minimised and floor space as well as structural bulk to be saved. Since a frame located in an arc type plant on the inside of an apron having a radius of about 10 meters will have a radius that is about 2.5 meters shorter than a frame on the outside of the apron, the overall length of an inside frame will also be about 25 percent less than that of an outside frame, a circumstance which also contributes towards reducing the structural bulk and complications of the plant. Since the mold as well as the following apron are both attached to the frame, the proposed method of supporting the frame permits a negative effect on the desired path of the casting due to thermal expansion and weight load to be eliminated. The bearing at the upper end of the frame, which is the principal bearing, is arranged to be located in line with a vertical through the center of gravity of the assembly comprising the mold, the following apron and the frame. This relieves that part of the structure which is called upon to support the upper bearing, of uncontrolled torsional stresses, and the bearing will be loaded exclusively in compression. The slight turning moment which arises when the upper bearing is a little offset from the vertical through the center of gravity can be readily absorbed by the second bearing at the bottom end of the frame. This bearing is preferably designed to be a loose bearing providing freedom of movement in a direction parallel to the periphery of the arcuate path of the casting. Consequently, the apron can expand from the main bearing freely towards either side in the direction of the casting path.

Another advantage afforded by the invention arises because the guiding columns and setting or adjusting cylinders which are associated with each segment are attached to the frame. Owing to this arrangement the guiding columns and the setting cylinders can remain in position when a segment is replaced. This leads to a considerable saving in time because the flexible pipe connections to the cylinders need not be undone and reconnected. The attachment of the cylinders and guiding columns to the frame on the inside of the arc also places these components in a more protected position in the event of a break-out of metal.

Another feature of the invention consists in so designing the guiding columns and setting cylinders that they are able to transfer the associated segment to a segment changing means provided on the outside of the arc of the apron without requiring the provision of additional aids. This in turn enables the design of the changing equipment to be simplified.

When using a short dummy bar it is an advantage to make the outside part of at least one segment of the apron displaceable and to provide equipment for the reception of a dummy bar so that it can be introduced into the opening in the apron thus formed. In a plant designed according to the invention such an arrangement is particularly easy to embody because no obstructing structural components are present on the outside of the arc.

The equipment for the reception of a dummy bar may consist of a deflectably mounted casing and a telescopically extendable magazine. The dummy bar is movable in the magazine with the aid of a driven member, such as a sprocket or friction wheel and the magazine can be raised by a counterweight and lowered again by the descending dummy bar. However, alternative drives would be feasible such as the provision of hydraulic drive means for the dummy bar.

The proposed form of construction enables the dummy bar to be fed into position before the end of the previous casting has completely left the apron. Moreover, much less time is required for the withdrawing head of the dummy bar to reach the mold because the dummy bar need ascend only part of the apron.

In the case of multi-strand installations a single segment changer and a single arrangement for the reception of the dummy bar may be arranged to serve all the aprons. However, in such case these accessory devices must also be capable of being traversed across the several aprons.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other details and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention wherein there is shown in the drawing a side elevational view of a continuous casting machine or plant designed according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Describing now the drawing, the arched supporting frame 1 in the illustrated continuous casting plant or machine has a bearing face 2 at its upper end resting on a girder 3. The bearing face 2 is intended to be located so that it is intersected by a vertical line through the center of gravity of an assembly comprising the frame 1, a mold 7 and segments 19, 20, 35 of an apron guiding the casting. Following the segments 19, 20, 35 forming the apron for guiding the casting along the arcuate path of travel 52 is a suitable straightening and withdrawing machine, generally indicated by reference character 60. The bottom end of the frame 1 is additionally suspended from another girder 6 by a bearing 5 which permits the frame to move freely parallel to the periphery of the arc formed by the casting, in other words in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the path 52 of the casting down the apron. The casting mold 7 is suspended in a cradle having side plates 8 held by arms 9 and oscillating levers 10 attached by hinges 50 and 51 respectively to the frame 1. The other arm of each oscillating lever 10 is linked to the piston rod 11 of an oscillating cylinder 12. Suspended from a bracket 14 on the frame 1 between the side plates 8 is a first guiding and cooling zone 13. At its upper end this first guiding zone or segment 13 comprises lateral rollers 15 which are held between guide rails 16 on the inside of the side plates 8.

In view of the location of the upper bearing formed by the bearing face 2 in the vertical axis of the center of gravity of the assembly which is supported by the frame 1, the bearing 2 will substantially be loaded exclusively in compression. When the frame 1 deviates from its original position and shape, as may occur by reason of thermal expansion and the effect of the weight of the casting, the frame will be able to move accordingly. Any such movement is not restricted in the upward direction because the mold 7, the oscillating equipment 9, 10, ll, 12, the first segment 13 and the other segments 19, 20 of the apron are mounted on the supporting frame 1 and therefore participate in any such movement, no deviations from the desired path 52 of the casting occurring between the several components. The bottom bearing 5 of the frame 1 is so designed that it can move parallel to the path 52, without changing the position of the apron in relation to the following parts of the plant, insofar as the path 52 of the casting is concerned. The bearing 5 prevents any turning movement about the upper bearing 2 that might otherwise occur. The upper bearing, here constituted by the bearing face 2, could naturally be replaced by a bearing pin having a horizontal axis.

For locating the segments 19, 20, 35 of the apron, which also contain means for cooling the casting, brackets 17 are attached to both sides of the frame 1. These brackets contain guiding columns 18. Slidably mounted on each pair of guiding columns 18 are an inner part 19 and an outer part 20 of a segment, each part containing rollers 21. The columns 18 also carry a removable stop 22 which locates the outer part 20. The brackets 17 also carry holders 23 for pressurefluid-operated cylinders 24 having piston rods 25 bearing against the inner segment 19. For diamantling the inner and outer segment parts 19, 20 these are provided with fittings or holders 26 for attachment thereto of an anchoring member not shown in the drawing. After the removal of the stop 22 both segment parts 19, can be transferred by the cylinders 24 to a segment changing carriage 27; the piston rods 25 are then detached from the inner segment parts 19. Since the cylinders 24 and the guiding column 18 are secured to the supporting frame 1, they remain in position when a segment is replaced. Consequently the changing carriage 27 need take over only the segments 19, 20 proper, and it can be of much lighter construction than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, the pipes or conduits for taking the pressure fluid to and from the cylinders 24 need not be uncoupled.

In one segment of the apron the bracket 17 is equipped with two lateral bearing blocks or lugs 28, 29 to which pressure-fluid-operated cylinders 30 and 31 are attached having piston rods 32 and 33 respectively connected to an outer segment part 35 which is slidable on extended columns 34. By pushing the outer part 35 of this segment outwards sufficient space for the introduction of a short dummy bar 36 from the outside can be created.

The equipment for the reception of a dummy bar 36 may consist of a receiving casing 37 having an open top and at least one partially open side and adapted to be deflected about a hinge 39 by a pressure-fluid-operated cylinder 38 attached to the foundation. Slidably contained inside the casing 37 is a magazine 40, likewise having one open side, and adapted to be telescopically extended and retracted. The dummy bar 36 is contained inside the magazine 40 and can be raised and lowered by a suitable drive, such as chain wheel or friction wheel 42 driven by a motor 41 and which directly acts upon the dummy bar. During the ascent of the dummy bar 36 the magazine 40 is raised by the action of a rope 44 running over a deflecting sheave 43 and carrying a counterweight 45, and thus guides the dummy bar 36 to the open roller apron. On the other hand, when the dummy bar 36 is withdrawn the withdrawing head 46 attached thereto strikes guide rollers 47 inside the magazine 40 and thus draws the magazine 40 back into its casing 37 against the pull of the counterweight 45. Finally the open segment is reclosed by the hydraulic cylinders 30, 31.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

l. A continuous casting plant composed of at least one assembly comprising a supporting frame, a mold and a plurality of following guiding segments forming an arcuate apron for guiding the casting along an arcuate path of travel and attached to said supporting frame, means for moving said segments out of alignment with the apron in a direction away from said supporting frame, said supporting frame being disposed on the inside of said arcuate path of travel formed by the apron and supported by the foundation structure of the plant at two bearing points, one of said bearing points defining a bearing at an upper end region of said supporting frame and constituting a main bearing which is located approximately in line with a vertical through the center of gravity of said assembly, the other bearing point defining a bearing at a lower end region of the frame and constituting a loose bearing affording freedom of movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said path of travel formed by the apron.

2. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said segments of the apron comprises guiding columns and setting cylinders, said guiding columns and setting cylinders being attached to said supporting frame.

3. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 2, wherein said guiding columns and said setting cylinders are adapted to transfer the associated segments to a segment changing carriage without requiring auxiliary devices.

4. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one segment located at the outside of the arcuate apron is provided with means allowing said one segment to be separately displaced, and equipment for the reception of a dummy bar introducible into an opening formed by the displacement of said one segment. I

5. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 4, wherein said equipment for the reception of a dummy bar comprises a deflectably mounted casing, a telescopically extendable magazine for the dummy bar contained in said casing.

6. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 5, wherein said equipment for the reception of a dummy bar further comprises motor-driven drive means for moving the dummy bar inside said magazine, said magazine being provided with a counterweight for raising said magazine, and said magazine being lowerable by a descending dummy bar.

7. .The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 6, wherein said motor-driven drive means comprises a sprocket wheel.

8. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 6, wherein said motor-driven drive means comprises a friction wheel.

9. A continuous casting plant composed of at least one assembly comprising a supporting frame, a mold and a plurality of following segments forming an arcuate apron for guiding the casting along an arcuate path of travel and attached to said supporting frame, said supporting frame being disposed on the inside of said arcuate path of travel formed by the apron, a pair of bearing means for supporting said supporting frame at two bearing points, one of said bearing means defining a bearing at an upper end region of said supporting frame and constituting a main bearing located approximately in line with a vertical through the center of gravity of said assembly, the other bearing means defining a bearing at a lower end region of the frame and constituting a loose bearing means for affording freedom of movement in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said path of travel formed by the 

1. A continuous casting plant composed of at least one assembly comprising a supporting frame, a mold and a plurality of following guiding segments forming an arcuate apron for guiding the casting along an arcuate path of travel and attached to said supporting frame, means for moving said segments out of alignment with the apron in a direction away from said supporting frame, said supporting frame being disposed on the inside of said arcuate path of travel formed by the apron and supported by the foundation structure of the plant at two bearing points, one of said bearing points defining a bearing at an upper end region of said supporting frame and constituting a main bearing which is located approximately in line with a vertical through the center of gravity of said assembly, the other bearing point defining a bearing at a lower end region of the frame and constituting a loose bearing affording freedom of movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of said path of travel formed by the apron.
 2. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said segments of the apron comprises guiding columns and setting cylinders, said guiding columns and setting cylinders being attached to said supporting frame.
 3. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 2, wherein said guiding columns and said setting cylinders are adapted to transfer the associated segments to a segment changing carriage without requiring auxiliary devices.
 4. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one segment located at the outside of the arcuate apron is provided with means allowing said one segment to be separately displaced, and equipment for the reception of a dummy bar introducible into an opening formed by the displacement of said one segment.
 5. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 4, wherein said equipment for the reception of a dummy bar comprises a deflectably mounted casing, a telescopically extendable magazine for the dummy bar contained in said casing.
 6. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 5, wherein said equipment for the reception of a dummy bar further comprises motoR-driven drive means for moving the dummy bar inside said magazine, said magazine being provided with a counterweight for raising said magazine, and said magazine being lowerable by a descending dummy bar.
 7. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 6, wherein said motor-driven drive means comprises a sprocket wheel.
 8. The continuous casting plant as defined in claim 6, wherein said motor-driven drive means comprises a friction wheel.
 9. A continuous casting plant composed of at least one assembly comprising a supporting frame, a mold and a plurality of following segments forming an arcuate apron for guiding the casting along an arcuate path of travel and attached to said supporting frame, said supporting frame being disposed on the inside of said arcuate path of travel formed by the apron, a pair of bearing means for supporting said supporting frame at two bearing points, one of said bearing means defining a bearing at an upper end region of said supporting frame and constituting a main bearing located approximately in line with a vertical through the center of gravity of said assembly, the other bearing means defining a bearing at a lower end region of the frame and constituting a loose bearing means for affording freedom of movement in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said path of travel formed by the apron. 